public transport - emergency numbers - embassies - public holidays - banks & foreign exchange - health issues - postal & communication services - travel safety tips - car rental & driving tips

GENERAL INFORMATION

Public Transport

Public transport is available, but generally more limited than in Europe.

Unlike Europe and the USA we do not have tram services or underground rail systems in place. We do have luxury inter-city coach services that offer trips between major towns in the Western Cape. The central departure point of these services is Cape Town Central Station about halfway up Adderly Street.

Rail. Regular services are available in the Peninsula. As a rule of thumb - use first class coach travel only.  There are some lovely scenic rail routes such as the steam train running between George & Knysna. Another new steam route is that between Somerset West and Elgin (apple country). Find out more from our local travel agents.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

All embassies and consulates are based in Cape Town. An extensive list can be found in the Western Cape telephone guide available everywhere in the Cape.

To see a list of embassies and consulates in Cape Town: click here!

You can also dial TELKOM enquiries to get their contact numbers - dial 1023 from any public phone, its free of charge, but the call to the embassy would cost you about 60c (use a R1 coin).

If there is a public holiday on a Sunday, the following Monday will also be a public holiday!

Public holidays 2001
New Years Day	01. January
Human Rights Day	21. March
Good Friday	13. April
Easter Sunday	14. April
Family Day	16. April
Freedom Day	27. April
Workers Day	01. May
Youth Day	16. June
National Woman's Day	09. August
Heritage Day	24. September
Day of Reconciliation	16. December
Public Holiday	17. December
Christmas Day	25. December
Day of Goodwill	26. December

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MONEY/BANKS & FOREIGN EXCHANGE

VAT - refund

VAT is currently 14% and is included in the price of nearly all goods and services. Ask for proper invoices and get your VAT claim forms at the airport on arrival in South Africa. No refund other than goods over a certain value is paid at your point of exit.

A 10% tipping fee is generally accepted throughout. It's customary to tip caddies, waiters and waitresses, taxi drivers, hotel and railway porters, chambermaids, stewards and tour guides.

Major Credit Cards are accepted in most establishments in the Western Cape (MASTER, VISA and DINERS.) Bank teller machines are readily available in all cities and larger towns, but not always in smaller towns.

Travelers Cheques are accepted in most hotels & guest houses but only in the major currencies.

Foreign Exchange is available at all commercial banks.

HEALTH ISSUES

Malaria

The Western Cape is not a malaria area. If you are traveling further North to Kwazulu Natal or Gauteng and the Mpungalanga you are advised to take malaria precautions.

No international immunization is needed when entering South Africa or the Western Cape. The only inoculation requirement is a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travelers over one year of age entering South Africa within six days of leaving an infected country. Visitors who travel through or disembark in these areas are advised to be inoculated against the disease before visiting South Africa.

An emergency (drug store) chemist is available in every large town. They are generally open 24 hours. The smaller towns will have a medical clinic.

Water

Tap water in well treated the Western Cape and is safe for drinking purposes. But still water is readily available at shops, restaurants cafe's and guest houses or hotels. You will not generally be charged for a glass of cold tap water at a restaurant.

Also view our page of emergency services in the Western Cape.

POSTAL SERVICES & TELECOMMUNICATION

Public telephones use either coins or are Telkom debit card operated. These phone cards can be obtained at most guest houses, hotels, cafe's, general shops or Telkom offices.

Generally local calls are charged per second. Long Distance call structures differ.  Using your phone between 8pm and 7pm the next morning will lower your call costs because Telkom offers lower call rates during this period.

Mobile phone Communication in South Africa

VODACOM

This service provider offers a "pay as you go" option and phone cards can be used to use your cell phone in South Africa. Check with Vodacom before leaving your country if your phone is compatible.

Look for shops advertising Voda Go or Vodacom signs.

MTN also offer pre-paid cell phone options.

C CELL will be introduced in November as a 3rd cell phone service provider.

TRAVEL SAFETY

Dress

The people in the Western Cape are generally informal when traveling. This could mean a pair of jeans or "chino's", a short sleeve shirt such as a golf shirt or long sleeve shirts. Avoid hanging your camera around your neck, put it in a small day pack. Blending in with what the locals are wearing is good advice. We're not Aussies...so you don't need to buy one of those hats with the corks swinging from it or leopard skin clothing...

Taking Walks

Avoid walking alone late at night. Keep away from "down town" areas and  informal settlements or townships at night unless you are with a credible tour operator. Avoid dark, isolated areas and try to keep to groups and busy streets. If you do get lost, find a police officer or shop keeper to ask for directions rather than a stranger.  Never carry your wallet or purse in your back pocket and carry your money and credit cards in inside pockets.

Your Car

Don't leave valuables lying around in your rental car. Put them in the boot and out of sight. It's advisable to lock your car no matter where you park it. Ask for a map from your car rental agency and make sure your spare type is inside or attached to the car and well inflated.

You don't have to pay informal parking attendants - but you may tip those appointed at large shopping centers. You will identify them by their security outfit.

Don't accept or give lifts to strangers while traveling. And stay away from "get rich quick" schemes!

Safety advice - Hotels

Our guest accommodation staff will do everything possible to make sure that you have a comfortable stay here in the Cape. When leaving your hotel or guest house room for a day outdoors. Close the windows and lock the door.

Luggage should not be left unattended - even when on a guided tour.

Keep your valuables in the hotel or safe at the guest house.

Rather use copies of your passport and travelling documents with you when go out for the day, and lock away your passport and original documents in the hotel safe. If you have rented a car, you will however need your original drivers permit.

Keep your doors locked as a general rule, and when you leave or arrive at parking areas late at night be observant and don't be distracted. It's generally safer to park in areas where there are security cameras and secure parking.

Make a printout of this page and use these emergency numbers should you have an emergency while traveling.

Tap water is well treated the Western Cape and is safe for drinking purposes. But still water is readily available at shops, restaurants cafe's and guest houses or hotels. You will not generally be charged for a glass of cold tap water at a restaurant and it's perfectly safe to drink.

You may want to drink still water in the Karoo areas as the water there has a different taste to that of the coastal regions.

Voltage = 220/230Volts 50Hz and most buildings have only 3 point plug sockets - although many guest houses and hotels will either have adapters available or have dual sockets (2 and 3 point).

CAR RENTAL & DRIVING

Most major car rental agencies are available at Cape Town International Airport (just accross from the International Arrivals terminal) and have agencies in most of the larger towns in the Western Cape. Get a brochure from your rental agency. See our car hire page for our recommended car rental companies. (click here!)

Parking garages (accepting cash only) are available in the center of town look for the large "P" in blue. Its advisable to make use of these when in the CBD of Cape Town as a parking card system is in use in Cape Town city centre and you may have to buy a parking card first.

Don't leave children or pets in your car on hot days. The day temperatures can rise to 30 degrees Celsius even in Autumn.

Fuel

Credit Cards are not accepted for purchasing fuel. (only South African Petrol Cards are). On the coast it is advisable to fill up with high octane fuel, unless your rental car specifically states it should use low octane unleaded fuel. Diesel passenger vehicles are still a novelty in South Africa. Carry enough cash and remember to make regular fuel stops, especially if you are traveling inland, where fuel stops are further apart.  See our distance charts to plan your journey or buy a South African road map at any fuel station or PNA book store.

Unlike Europe and USA fuel (gas) stations are not self service and fuel is generally cheaper along the coast than inland. Cape Town centre has the cheapest fuel in the Western Cape, as does Mossel Bay (400km from Cape Town/most cars will reach Mossel Bay from Cape Town on a single 55 litre fuel tank) on the Garden Route.

General

The fast lane is always on your right. And when parking just remember this phrase "passenger on the pavement (side walk)".

Speed traps are either "lines" with camera or radar. Do not pay any spot fines to traffic officers , fines are paid at local courts or at municipalities. New speed traps are permanent, built into the road surface and equipped with a camera, mounted on a green post. There are also cameras at many traffic light intersections "snapping" you if you should jump a red light. You may cross an amber light with causion.

Speed limits in built up areas are generally 60km/h and on the freeways (autobahns) 120km/h. Don't attempt excessive speeds on the freeways - our roads are not built to autobahn specs.

Automobile Association South Africa Toll Free: 0800 010101

Copyright ©  2001 Treehouse Consulting.